Homeowners needs to take the right steps to protect their families. But, home invasions are very common these days, just as much other damage is, like floods and fires. This article contains information on protecting your home, property and family.

If you keep a spare key outside to prevent yourself from being locked-out, think carefully about where you hide it. Under the doormat or above the door frame are all too common spaces that will be checked first by potential intruders. Instead, try hiding a key on the collar of an outside dog.

If someone comes to clean your home, only give them a key if they’re trustworthy. If you do give your housekeeper a key or plan on doing so, it is imperative that they are honest and upstanding. Make sure you verify all references. If your cleaning person comes from a company, check with the BBB.

If you will be gone for an extended period, turn the ringers off on all telephones in the home. A phone which rings forever is a sign to burglars that you’re not there.

If you will be vacationing for an extended period of time, turn off the ringer on all the phones in your house. If a burglar keeps hearing your phone ring, they’ll know the home is not occupied, making it more likely for a break-in to occur.

Don’t let strangers enter your home. Remember that intruders have a lot of experience with tricking people. There are some people who will just come in to see if you have a home security system, and if you do not, they could come back later when you are not home.

Never allow str4angers to enter your house. There are some people who are very convincing and good at getting you to let them into your house. Some will come to your door just to determine how secure it is, and they may return later if they think they can easily enter your home.

Install motion-sensor lights. They turn on only if someone is nearby. Not only will you know that someone is out there, it will also deter burglars because they want to be inconspicuous. But keep in mind that the bulbs to the security light should be routinely changed to ensure that the deterrent system functions properly.

Do not be shy. Talk to your neighbors and those on your block. You’ll find that friendly neighbors make for a powerful support network. Keep an eye on their properties and they’ll respond in kind. You never want to ignore gossip. While this is unorthodox, it may clue you into a possible home security threat.

An extremely important tactic for keeping your home safe is changing out the locks. Maybe you had a roommate move out or have a disgruntled ex-lover, changing the locks is the best way to keep yourself safe. Most locksmiths can accomplish the job within 24 hours.

You have a choice on who installs your security system, don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t feel right. This goes for the installer, too. You don’t want to refrain from choosing a different company or technician. Ultimately, the whole point is for you to have peace of mind.

Use your walls as hiding spaces. You do not need to remove segments from your walls. There should be pre-cut spaces throughout your home that will suffice. Unused electrical sockets can be great for hiding expensive jewelry.

No matter how soon you plan to return home, you should lock your doors. Break-ins are often the result of unlocked windows and doors. It can be a quick job for a burglar to steal items of great value.

If you are moving in your new home, ensure all the old locks are replaced. You have no way of knowing whether the previous homeowner is trustworthy. If the previous owners have never changed the locks, there could be people out there who owned the house before them and still have keys to your house.

You want an alarm system that protects more than your doors. Burglars often enter through windows as well. Attach an alarm to every one of them, and make sure all entry points are monitored. This is the pinnacle of safety.

There is a lot of value in copper wiring. Many people have their wires stripped each year. The wiring contains valuable copper than can be quickly stripped from a home. Hide your wiring to secure it.

Keep lights on at all times if you want to prevent break-ins from happening. They do not desire to be seen. When your house is well lit, intruders have no place to hide. This makes it hard for them to get things from you. Keep those lights shining brightly at night.

Always check references before letting anyone work on your home. Conduct background checks if necessary. It is impossible to know if the newly hired maid or one time repairman might be a crook unless you check them out. Providing them with your key might be the biggest mistake you’ve ever made.

Safety should be kept in mind when you are planning your landscape. Windows should be free from obstructions like trees, shrubs and fencing. With areas like these visible, there will be no hiding while attempting a break-in. Plan your home with safety in mind.

Whenever you are landscaping your home, you should consider safety. Doors and windows should not be obstructed by trees, plants or shrubs. With areas like these visible, there will be no hiding while attempting a break-in. Plan features like these further from your home to have a safe, beautiful design.

As the company that is doing your home security how long they’ve been providing this service. A company with a long history has proved they can survive and provide great service to people. Realizing you at involved with a stable firm will give you a sense of calm that is important.

Prior to purchasing a security system, think about what you need it for. Although they can be very helpful, security systems aren’t always necessary. In some situations, having a good dog and/or learning some self defense may be all that you really need to feel safe. Ensure that you have considered all your options before making a final decision.

Keep your home’s exterior well lit. Burglars like using darkness to hide. Install lights in areas where intruders might come. This extends to doorways, porches, garages and lower windows.

If you get home and notice an open door, do not go in to see what has happened. This can be very dangerous because the thief could still be inside. It is best to call the police right away and go to a safe place until the police check your home.

If you don’t have a paper shredder, you might want to buy one. Thieves often look through garbage, trying to find credit card information or other important documents. If a paper shredder is not in your budget, consider tearing your documents into tiny pieces or even burning them.

Make sure the inside of your garage isn’t visible. Go to a hardware store and buy some frosting so you can cover your windows. Don’t let your door hang open for lengthy periods of time.

If you have kids or roommates that you don’t want in certain household areas, it’s not necessary to lock multiple doors and tote around tons of keys. Instead, key-less key code locks can work just as well. These may be installed by yourself or a security company.

Inquire about various contract lengths which your security company might offer. They probably each have their pluses and negatives. Longer contracts can lower your monthly bill; however, you may have to continue paying the bill even if you move or discontinue with their services. Shorter contracts allow your greater freedom, however they usually cost more each month.

Always keep your shades, curtains and blinds closed when you are not at home. Intruders can see into your home if they are left up. It could be enticing to break in if they notice something that’s nice. It’s good to have them down at night, too.

If you are away, pull your shades closed. If you keep them up, intruders will be able to see right into your home. They’re going to want to get in your house if they can see items they want. You ought to keep them drawn while you are asleep.

Do not hide your key in obvious places. Everybody knows about fake rocks. Someone is going to look under your doormat. Just leave your key with someone you trust. Otherwise, you should be more creative when it comes to hiding your key.

Do not make a number-code password your birthday or other obvious number. Your birthday is easy to obtain, and you don’t want your house to be easily accessible. You should choose a number no one else will be able to guess and change it regularly.

Ask the security company if they’re currently offering an motion sensitive lighting. This will illuminate the exterior of your home anytime someone approaches. This is a great way to protect the outside of your home.

Consider a hard-wired security system if you are concerned about ongoing maintenance costs. While wireless systems are great, they do require batteries on a consistent basis. If the batteries are not changed, the system might not work at all. Batteries can be very expensive to change.

While gossip and scandals aren’t the most wholesome neighborhood topics, it’s best to stay in the loop. Your neighbors will probably notice people lurking near your house when you are gone. If you remain in their good graces, then, you have a better chances of finding out valuable information.

Do you turn the lights on and off during the same time period? If so, consider a timer. A timer is very convenient and will give the impression that your home is occupied if you have to go away over extended periods of time.

Lock all of your windows that on the second floor of your home. Many people think a criminal won’t check them. This simply isn’t the case. Never underestimate the ability of an intruder to get into your home if they are really determined.

Ask the security company you hire whether they have lights with motion sensors. Many companies offer this, and it causes the lights on the outside of your home to go on as soon as someone approaches an entry way. This will ward off thieves and make you feel safe when you come home.

Deadbolt locks offer the best security, and those with captive keylocks are even better. Deadbolts have a thumb latch for an extra layer of protection. When you’re at home, you can leave your key in the keyhole so you’re able to leave in the event of an emergency.

Sliding glass doors can create a security issue in a home. It’s easy to break into a sliding glass door by just lifting it up and shaking it. If you don’t have your security system connected to them, try cutting some pipe to fit into your door channel. This will ensure the door stays tightly shut and it is difficult to force open.

Though inside locks are great, they do little if they cannot also be locked externally. Deadbolts are the best locks. The ones that are key operated on the interior and the exterior are burglar proof.

Many people avoid the neighborhood busybody, but try getting on their good side. If there are unfamiliar people hanging around, the busybodies in your neighborhood will notice. You will even be able to ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your home if you are going on a vacation.

When you own a home, you must focus on securing it. This article has great ideas that will keep your home safe from almost any threat. Implement all these ideas in order to get the most out of your home security efforts.

Always lock the windows in your home, no matter what floor they are on. Many homeowners neglect this step because they believe burglars won’t bother climbing your home. This isn’t so. Criminals know very well that people think this way, and they will take advantage of that.